Brokering network resources

ABSTRACT

A method of brokering a network resource  10  includes providing a service broker processor  12  and a service broker registry  13.  On receiving a request at the service broker processor to register a network resource to provide a network service, the service broker processor authenticates the request and authorises registration in the service broker registry. A network client  14  is updated with the availability of the registered network resource so that on receiving a third party request for the network service, the network client requests allocation of the registered network resource. A bearer path  54  is set up between the third party  21  and the network resource  10  to provide the requested network service.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to communication networks and in particular tobrokering network resources on a communication network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When an end-user seeks network services or resources, such asteleconferencing, voicemail and database services, from a networkoperator, the network operator creates a bespoke solution by approachingindividual vendors and obtaining the required services from differentvendors to create a multi-vendor solution. The network operator cannotobtain the services from a single source.

That is, the network resources are held in closed environments which areproprietary implementations, so that the network resources are notavailable, or even visible, to other users.

Moreover, the same network resources are replicated to provide servicesto different users, for example in different time zones, even although anetwork resource in one time zone may be idle while a correspondingnetwork resource in another time zone is in use, and vice versa.

It is desirable to maximise use of network resources and bandwidth, tomake different services available from a single source and, inparticular, to avoid unnecessary multiplication of network resources.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a methodof brokering, a network resource comprising the steps of: providing aservice broker processor and a service broker registry; receiving arequest at the service broker processor to register in the servicebroker registry a network resource for providing a network service; theservice broker processor authenticating the request and authorisingregistration to establish an authenticated and authorised networkresource; the service broker processor registering the authenticated andauthorised network resource in the service broker registry to establisha registered network resource; the service broker processor updating anetwork client with the availability of the registered network resource;the network client receiving a third party request for the said networkservice; the network client requesting allocation of the registerednetwork resource; and the network client setting up a bearer pathbetween the third party and the network resource.

Advantageously, the method comprises an additional step of providing aresource manager and the resource manager checking a status of theregistered network resource before updating the network client with theavailability of the registered network resource.

Preferably, the method comprises a further step of the service brokerprocessor monitoring availability of the registered network resource.

Conveniently, the step of updating a network client includes the networkclient activating the service provided by the registered networkresource.

Advantageously, the step of the network client requesting allocation ofthe registered network resource includes the network client determiningthe availability of the registered network resource.

Advantageously, the step of the network client requesting allocation ofthe registered network resource comprises the network client requestingallocation of a plurality of registered network resources to provide thesaid network service by succession brokering of the plurality ofregistered network resources.

Preferably the step of the network client setting up a bearer pathincludes the step of the network client monitoring use of the networkresource and billing the third party user.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided amethod of registering a network resource comprising the steps of:providing a service broker processor and a service broker registry;receiving a request at the service broker processor to register in theservice broker registry a network resource for providing a networkservice; the service broker processor authenticating the request andauthorising registrations to establish an authenticated and authorisednetwork resource; and the service broker processor registering theauthenticated and authorised network resource in the service brokerregistry to establish a registered network resource.

Advantageously, the method comprises an additional step of providing aresource manager and the resource manager checking a status of theregistered network resource before updating the network client with theavailability of the registered network resource.

Preferably, the method comprises a further step of the service brokerprocessor monitoring availability of the registered network resource.

Conveniently, the step of updating a network client includes the networkclient activating the service provided by the network resource.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a methodof requesting a network service from a network client comprising thesteps of: providing a service broker processor and a service brokerregistry containing an authenticated and authorised registered networkresource for providing the network service; the network client receivinga third party request for the said network service; the network clientrequesting allocation of the registered network resource; and thenetwork client setting up a bearer path between the third party and thenetwork resource.

Conveniently, the step of the network client requesting allocation ofthe registered network resource includes the network client determiningthe availability of the registered network resource.

Advantageously, the step of the network client requesting allocation ofthe registered network resource comprises the network client requestingallocation of a plurality of registered network resources to provide thesaid network service by succession brokering of the plurality ofregistered network resources.

Preferably, the step of the network client setting up a bearer pathincludes the step of the network client monitoring use of the networkresource and billing the third party user.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is providedcomputer executable software code stored on a computer readable medium,the code being for brokering a network resource comprising the steps of:providing a service broker processor and a service broker registry;receiving a request at the service broker processor to register in theservice broker registry a network resource for providing a networkservice; the service broker processor authenticating the request andauthorising registration to establish an authenticated and authorisednetwork resource; the service broker processor registering theauthenticated and authorised network resource in the service brokerregistry to establish a registered network resource; the service brokerprocessor updating a network client with the availability of theregistered network resource; the network client receiving a third partyrequest for the said network service; the network client requestingallocation of the registered network resource; and the network clientsetting up a bearer path between the third party and the networkresource.

According to an fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided one ormore programmed computers for brokering a network resource comprisingthe steps of: providing a service broker processor and a service brokerregistry; receiving a request at the service broker processor toregister in the service broker registry a network resource for providinga network service; the service broker processor authenticating therequest and authorising registration to establish an authenticated andauthorised network resource; the service broker processor registeringthe authenticated and authorised network resource in the service brokerregistry to establish a registered network resource; the service brokerprocessor updating a network client with the availability of theregistered network resource; the network client receiving a third partyrequest for the said network service; the network client requestingallocation of the registered network resource; and the network clientsetting up a bearer path between the third party and the networkresource.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided anetwork resource broker including a service broker processor and aservice broker registry, the service broker processor comprising: areceiver module adapted for receiving a request to register in theservice broker registry a network resource for providing a networkservice; an authenticator module adapted for authenticating the requestand to authorise registration to establish an authenticated andauthorised network resource; a registration module adapted forregistering the authenticated and authorised network resource in theservice broker registry to establish a registered network resource; andan updating module adapted for updating a network client with theavailability of the registered network resource; such that when thenetwork client receives a third party request for the said networkservice, the network client requests allocation of the registerednetwork resource; and sets up a bearer path between the third party andthe network resource.

Preferably, the network resource broker further comprises a resourcemanager adapted for checking a status of the registered network resourcebefore updating the network client with the availability of theregistered network resource.

Advantageously, the service broker processor further comprises a monitoradapted for monitoring availability of the registered network resource.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided anetwork resource registration module including a service brokerprocessor and a service broker registry, the service broker processorcomprising: a receiver to receive a request to register in the servicebroker registry a network resource for providing a network service; anauthentication module to authenticate the request and authoriseregistrations to establish an authenticated and authorised networkresource; and a registration module to register the authenticated andauthorised network resource in the service broker registry to establisha registered network resource.

Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparentto those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the followingdescription of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction withthe accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a method, according to the invention,of registering a network resource on a broker registry for brokeringnetwork services;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the method of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method, according to theinvention, of using a brokered network resource registered on the brokerregistry of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the method of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of broker service information flow usingthe method of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the information flow of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Throughout the description, identical reference numerals are used toidentify like parts.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the registration of a multimedia conferencingresource 10 for the provision of a multimedia conferencing service by anetwork supplier to a network user, using a service broker application12 and a service broker resource registry 13 according to the invention.In order to make available the multimedia conferencing resource 10, amultimedia conferencing resource management module 11, finds andcontacts, step 41, over a network, an application programming interfacefront-end 121 of the service broker application 12. In an authenticationand authorisation interchange, step 42, the service broker application12 and multimedia conferencing resource management module 11 match thefacilities of the multimedia conferencing service 10, e.g. assigning asecurity protocol, with the needs of the service broker application 12,to determine, step 43, agreed facilities to be brokered.

The multimedia conferencing resource 10 and the agreed facilities areregistered, step 44, by the multimedia conferencing resource managementmodule 11 in the service broker resource registry 13 associated with theservice broker application 12.

That is, a network resource owner registers a network resource with anetwork and, after passing relevant security procedures, enters detailsof the network resource into a network repository. The repository is alogical, i.e. virtual, entity and can be located anywhere in thenetwork.

The multimedia conferencing resource management module 11 updates, step46, a network client such as a soft switch 14 using a policy rule toadvertise the availability of the multimedia conferencing resource 10.The policy rule may, for example, define a time slot during which theservice is available. That is, the network is characterised to ensureoptimal operation by interaction with a policy management infrastructureby updating access points on the network to indicate that the registerednetwork resource is available. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1and 2, the network client 14 activates, step 47, the service by updatinga universal translation module 15.

In this manner the service broker resource registry 13 provides acentral registry of network resources 10 available to a network. Thatis, network resource suppliers register network resources with theservice broker resource registry 13 to form a collection of networkresources which can be offered to third party users.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a third party user 21, requiring amultimedia conferencing resource 10, requests a conference call from anetwork client such as soft switch 14. The soft switch 14 handles, step52, the request by passing the un-interpreted request from the thirdparty user to the universal translation module 15 which interprets therequest from look-up tables as a request for conference call service andpasses the interpreted request back to the soft switch 14. The softswitch 14 determines from the service broker resource registry 13 theavailability of a multimedia conferencing resource 10 meeting the thirdparty's requirements, for example least-cost routing or a particularquality of service. The service broker resource registry 13 monitors useof registered network resources so that at any time the registerednetwork resources which are available are known. That is, the interfacemonitors usage of registered network resources by counting how many ofthe network resources are in use and allowing no more users access onceall the network resources are in use. When a network resource of aparticular type is in use, a notification is sent to the service brokerservice registry to decrement the number of network resources of thattype available. The number of network resources available from this poolof network resources is increased only as the pool becomes empty. If amultimedia conferencing resource 10 meeting the third party'srequirements is available, a request for the multimedia conferencingresource 10 is passed, step 53, by the soft switch 14 to the multimediaconferencing resource 10 and a transmission link bearer path is set up,step 54, between the third party user 21 and the multimedia conferencingresource 10 meeting the third party's requirements. The third party user21 is then able to make, step 55, conference calls through a real timeprotocol portal 101 of the multimedia conferencing resource 10. The softswitch 14 monitors the use of the multimedia conferencing resource 10 bythe third party 21 in order to create, step 56, a bill for use of thenetwork resource by the third party.

In this manner, the third party 21 is billed only for actual use of themultimedia conferencing resource 10, and the network resource can bemade available to other potential users when not in use by the thirdparty.

More generally, a user requesting a network resource accesses a familiarresource management network entity and once the user has beenauthenticated by security procedures, the user can access a networkresource. The familiar resource management network entity may be aninternet web page which provides access to a network portal givingaccess to the broker. The request for a network, resource may requireupdating of a service profile associated with the user. That is, a listof services to which the user is allowed access is updated by adding thebrokered network resource to the list, so that the network will accept arequest for the brokered service from the user. This updating may behandled by interaction with a software resource adaptation layer. Theuser can then interact with an interface of the network resource toaction the user's request for service.

An information flow of a further embodiment of the invention, forproviding a menu-driven interactive voice recognition service, isillustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. A network operator application 31,requesting, step 61, an interactive voice recognition service 32 sends aFindServiceBroker message 71 to a service broker application 12including a registry 13. The service broker application 12 requests,step 62, the creation of an interactive voice recognition servicespecifying the required service attributes. The service brokerapplication 12 selects, step 63, an available voice recognition service32 with the required attributes from the service broker service registry13 and assigns, step 64, a resource policy to the request. The requestfor service is populated, step 65, from the registry 13 with a locationof the interactive voice recognition service 32 and aserviceLocationlnfo message 72 is passed to the network operatorapplication 31. The network operator finds, step 66, the interactivevoice recognition service 32 using the received serviceLocationlnfomessage, and the network operator accesses an interface of theinteractive voice recognition service and begins using, step 67, thenetwork resource, by exchanging, step 73, commands between the networkoperator application 31 and the interactive voice recognition service32. It will be understood that the invention is not limited toregistering any particular types of network resource for providing anyparticular type of network service. Examples of network resources whichmay be registered, but to which the invention is not limited, includenetwork resources providing any telecommunication or informationtechnology service, such as teleconferencing, multimedia conferencing,telephone service, call forwarding service, voicemail service, internettelephone service, user validation service, billing service, gamingservice, database services and data back-up services.

The invention provides an advantage of allowing a network operator tobroker network resources to enable a distributed service infrastructure.For example, by providing a platform with an applications programminginterface to define a broker capability, network services are madeavailable to third parties, so that a network resource may be allocatedon a time basis, for example for the working hours in a particular timezone, and the third party billed based on usage of the network resource.Outside the working hours of the particular time zone, the networkresource can be made available to other users. Moreover, end-users canobtain all their telecommunication and information technology servicesfrom a single virtual source. The applications programming interfacetherefore handles requests for access to the broker, finds a servicewithin the broker registry meeting the service requirements of therequest, informs the user making the request of the location of therequired network resource, assigns policy information to the request,for example time slots in which the service is to be provided, andrecords the usage time by the user of the network resource in order tobill the user for the actual usage.

The applications programming interface may provide succession brokeringwhere, for example for a gaming service, a first registered networkresource from a first vendor provides user validation, a secondregistered network resource from a second vendor provides secure accessto a gambling site and a third registered network resource from a thirdvendor provides consequential billing.

Alternative embodiments of the invention can be implemented as acomputer program product for use with a computer system, the computerprogram product being, for example, a series of computer instructionsstored on a tangible data recording medium, such as a diskette, CD-ROM,ROM, or fixed disk, or embodied in a computer data signal, the signalbeing transmitted over a tangible medium or a wireless medium, forexample microwave or infrared. The series of computer instructions canconstitute all or part of the functionality described above, and canalso be stored in any memory device, volatile or non-volatile, such assemiconductor, magnetic, optical or other memory device.

Although the present invention has been described with reference topreferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

1-21. (canceled)
 22. A method of brokering a network resource, themethod comprising, in at least one service broker processor running atleast one service broker application: maintaining a service brokerregistry; receiving a request to register in the service broker registrya network resource for providing a network service; and registering thenetwork resource in the service broker registry to establish aregistered network resource.
 23. The method of claim 22, comprisingbilling a third party based on use of the registered network resource.24. The method of claim 22, comprising monitoring use of the registerednetwork resource.
 25. The method of claim 24, comprising billing a thirdparty based on monitored use of the selected network resource.
 26. Themethod of claim 22, further comprising authenticating the request beforeregistering the network resource in the service broker registry.
 27. Themethod of claim 26, further comprising authorizing registration afterauthentication of the request and before registering the networkresource in the service broker registry.
 28. The method of claim 22,further comprising updating at least one network client regarding theavailability of the registered network resource.
 29. The method of claim28, further comprising checking a status of the registered networkresource before updating the at least one network client.
 30. The methodof claim 22, further comprising monitoring availability of theregistered network resource.
 31. The method of claim 22, furthercomprising receiving from a network client a request for allocation ofthe registered network resource.
 32. The method of claim 31, furthercomprising selecting a registered network resource in response to thereceived request.
 33. The method of claim 32, further comprisingidentifying the selected network resource to the network client.
 34. Themethod of claim 32, further comprising assigning the selected networkresource.
 35. The method of claim 31, further comprising applying aresource policy to the received request.
 36. The method of claim 31,wherein the network client is one of a network switch and a networkoperator application.
 37. The method of claim 22, wherein the networkresource is a network resource providing at least one of atelecommunication service, an information technology service, ateleconferencing service, a multimedia conferencing service, a telephonyservice, a call forwarding service, a voicemail service, an internettelephone service, an interactive voice response service, a uservalidation service, a billing service, a gaming service, a databaseservice and a data back-up service.
 38. The method of claim 22, whereinthe at least one service broker processor running at least one servicebroker application comprises a network resource management application.39. A method of providing a brokered network service, the methodcomprising, at a network client: receiving a request for the networkservice; sending a request for the network service to a service brokerprocessor running a service broker application; requesting allocation ofa network resource selected by the service broker application; andsetting up the requested network service using the selected networkresource.
 40. The method of claim 39, comprising billing a third partybased on use of the selected network resource.
 41. The method of claim39, wherein setting up the requested network service comprisesmonitoring use of the selected network resource.
 42. The method of claim41, comprising billing a third party based on monitored use of theselected network resource.
 43. The method of claim 39, comprisingreceiving identification of the selected network resource from theservice broker application before requesting allocation of the selectednetwork resource.
 44. The method of claim 39, wherein setting up therequested network service using the selected network resource comprisessetting up a bearer path between a source of the service request and theselected network resource.
 45. The method of claim 39, whereinrequesting allocation of the selected network resource comprisesdetermining availability of the selected network resource.
 46. Themethod of claim 39, comprising requesting allocation of plural selectednetwork resources to provide the requested network service by successionbrokering of the plural selected network resource.
 47. The method ofclaim 39, wherein setting up the requested network service comprisesmonitoring use of the selected network resource and billing a user ofthe requested service based on the monitored use.
 48. The method ofclaim 39, wherein the network client is one of a network switch and anetwork operator application.
 49. The method of claim 39, wherein thenetwork resource is a network resource providing at least one of atelecommunication service, an information technology service, ateleconferencing service, a multimedia conferencing service, a telephonyservice, a call forwarding service, a voicemail service, an internettelephone service, an interactive voice response service, a uservalidation service, a billing service, a gaming service, a databaseservice and a data back-up service.